Marilyn Monroe fans to celebrate her 100th birthday, 40 years after her death

By Anonymous Citizen

Hollywood honors Marilyn Monroe, 100 years after her birth Nokuthula Khanyile Mon, 06/01/2026 - 06:00 HOLLYWOOD - Marilyn Monroe's hometown of Hollywood kicks off Monday a series of special events marking the 100th anniversary of the movie icon's birth. At the historic Chinese Theatre, where Monroe's handprints are immortalized alongside "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953) co-star Jane Russell, fans plan to sing "Happy Birthday", echoing her famed sultry serenade to president John F. Kennedy. One hundred roses and a cake will be placed at the site, a symbol of Hollywood's golden age and a popular tourist hotspot. Tributes to Tinseltown's legendary daughter began on Sunday, with the Academy Museum opening "Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon," an exhibit celebrating her film career and life cut short. After shooting to superstardom in the 1950s, the actress and model died of an overdose at her Brentwood home in August 1962, aged 36. The Academy Museum will host special screenings of her prolif